Identification and characterization of novel factors that promote astrocyte differentiation of neural precursor cells

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24500437
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (2013-2014); The University of Tokyo (2012)
• Principal Investigator: NAGAO Motoshi 国立障害者リハビリテーションセンター(研究所), 研究所 運動機能系障害研究部, 研究室長 (00359671)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 神経幹細胞 / アストロサイト / クロマチン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the mammalian brain and are important for the functions of the central nervous system. Although it is known that astrocytes arise from neural precursor cells (NPCs), the molecular mechanisms of astrocyte differentiation are still poorly understood. Here, I show that HMGN family proteins promote astrocyte differentiation of NPCs during brain development. HMGN proteins were expressed in NPCs, Sox9+ glial progenitors and GFAP+ astrocytes in perinatal and adult brains. Forced expression of HMGN family proteins in NPCs in cultures or in the late embryonic neocortex increased the generation of astrocytes. Conversely, knockdown of HMGN family proteins in NPCs suppressed astrocyte differentiation. These results suggest that HMGN family proteins are novel chromatin regulatory factors that promote astrocyte differentiation.

Free Research Field

神経発生　幹細胞